Florida Southern College - Interlachen Yearbook (Lakeland, FL)

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JAMES THEODORE NOLEN President 1895-97

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Golden Anniversary — 1885 - 1035 spirited individuals were awarded. Honors were announced as follows ar the commencement of 1894: W. F. Melton medal for best oration, Rev. C. W. White; L. B. Lee medal for best original essay, Miss Nellie Hall; W. H. Steinmeyer medal for best fresh- man or sub-freshman recitation, Miss Bertie Lee; J. H. Richards medal for best display of art at commencement, Miss Annie Walker; J. H. Owen medal for best recitation or declamation in pre- paratory department, Miss Talula DePass; G. M. Lee medal for best scholarship in preparatory department, Miss Loulie Barnett; W. C. Wilkins medal for best declamation, J. R. Hillsman, W. F. Melton medal for best scholarship, Rev. B. F. Lovelace; W. J. Walker medal for best house- keeping in College Home, Miss Mamie Wilkins, J. P. Stephens and Brother medal for best work in French, Miss Sadie Abney. Freezing weather having done extensive damage to the citrus crops, money became so scarce in 1895 that it was feared the college would have to be closed. President Melton and his faculty, unable to live on their greatly reduced salaries, presented their resignations to the board of trustees at the meeting held on the afternoon of May 18. The board adopted a resolution which said: That this board sincerely regrets that circum- stances have caused the president and his assistants to retire from the college; that we appreciate the valuable services they have rendered; and that they carry with them our high regards and best wishes for their future welfare. college at a critical time, when the hearts of the trustees were grieved and burdened over its con- dition, he began the delicate and difficult work of unifying sentiment in its behalf and composing differences. That he succeeded, illustrates his fit- ness to be a leader of men. Always optimistic in the best sense, because his faith was anchored on the great Teacher, he went over the conference inspiring confidence and winning friends to the institution, until the bright star of hope was dis- cerned rising on the horizon of the school. The work committed to Professor Nolen was no sinecure. The upbuilding of a young church educational institution in a sparsely populated section, without endowment, without strong and influential friends, with antagonisms to be recon- ciled, and the daily problem of support confronting him, he yet wrought manfully and well. . . . He had, by the force of his personality, attracted to the school an excellent corps of teachers, and, despite the financial stringency of the past two years, had secured for the college a commanding position as an educational foundation. The board of trustees during the first year of Dr. Nolen ' s administration included the following: Dr. J. Anderson, chairman; Rev. W. F. Norton, vice-chairman; Rev. W. H. Steinmeyer, financial agent and treasurer; Rev. R. L. Honiker, secretary; Rev. R. H. Barnett, Rev. J. B. Anderson, Rev. T.J. Nixon, Rev. J. M. Pike, Dr. J. F. Shands, George M. Lee, Loveard B. Lee, Charles W. White, John C. Cooper, C. N. Hildreth, E. H. Swain, S. E. Bond, J. H. Dorsey and Rev. A. E. Householder. TRUSTEES ELECT DR. NOLEN Dr. James Theodore Nolen was elected president of the college on the morning of May 20, 1895, succeeding Dr. Melton, and served until his death, November 27, 1897. Dr. Nolen was born at Franklin, North Carolina, April 22, 1863. He attended Emory and Henrv College, Emory, Virginia, and was graduated with honors, winning three medals for excellence in an essay and mathematics and natural science. He taught school two years before entering Vanderbilt University, where he was awarded the degree of bachelor of divinity in 1891. He married Miss Rose Charlotte Thomas, at Spring City, Tennessee, June 28, 1892, and two daughters survive them. One lives at Williston, the other at Leesburg. Before election to the presidency of The Florida Conference College, Dr. Nolen served as school principal at Spring City, Tennessee, and Lake City, Florida, and as a professor on the faculty of Peoples College, Pikeville, Tennessee. He became a mem- ber of the Florida Conference in December, 1896. He was buried in Leesburg, but was later removed to the burial ground of Mrs. Nolen ' s family in Chattanooga Memorial Park, C hattanooga, Tenn. R. L. Honiker, chairman of the conference com- mittee on memoirs, eulogizing Dr. Nolen in the conference minutes of 1897, said: Coming to the FACULTY ANNOUNCED The faculty for the first year included the follow- ing: Rev. F. A. Taylor, vice-president and pro- fessor of higher mathematics and Greek; Rev. T. A. Jordan, professor of English, history and natural science; Mrs. C. C. B. Richards, instructor in natural science, German and French; Mrs. A. S. Barnett, music; Miss Fannie Collins, art; Victor Knight, librarian; Miss Mary Knight, assistant librarian; F. E. Steinmeyer, manager of the college home; and Mrs. Steinmeyer, lady principal. The faculty for 1896-97 included the following: President Nolen, mental and moral science; E. F. Herman, ancient and modern languages; Rev. F. A. Taylor, adjunct professor of ancient languages; W. T. Chafin, higher mathematics and natural science; Mrs. Beulah M. Warner, English and his- tory; J. N. Piatt, tutor in natural science; Mrs. A. S. Barnett, vocal and instrumental music; Miss Fannie Collins, art and physical culture; and Miss Hannah W. Hopson, stenography and typewriting. Those who had the privilege of being closely associated with Dr. Nolen recall the heroic manner in which he sought to save the college from the threatening depression. Heavy financial odds faced him when he assumed the responsibilities of the presidency, but he had the immediate cooper- ation of a loyal faculty, trustees, ministers and Page Twenty-one t • 4 , ■ ' «■ •♦■ •

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Golden Anniversary — t885- 1035 other friends, and he set out to perform with deter- mination a dreary task. He made his first report to the conference in December, 1895, announcing an enrollment of fifty-eight students. This was less than the total for the preceding year, but he was able to report a larger number of boarding students. The latter were charged $10 a month. Six of the fifty-eight students were preparing for either the ministry or mission work. Twelve others were children of ministers. One year later the college had a faculty of seven and a student enrollment of eighty-five. Among these were six children of Rev. and Mrs. R. H. Barnett — Loulie, R. Ira, Fred T., Doak, Eugene and Henry. The college plant consisted of three buildings. The Hall included fourteen rooms and a large dining apartment. The College Home included thirty bedrooms, a parlor, a sitting room, a dining room, a kitchen, five porticoes and eight halls. The administration building included a chapel, a library, a museum, the president ' s office and seven recitation rooms. Upon the death of Dr. Nolen, the trustees elected as president pro tern, Professor E. F. Herman, a bachelor of arts graduate of Syracuse University, who was then teaching Latin, Greek and German in The Florida Conference College. PRESIDENT LANG ELECTED Thomas Gelzer Lang was elected president at a meeting of the trustees held in Tampa on the after- noon of December 20, 1897. He appeared before the trustees that night in a brief speech of accept- ance. His administration continued until 1902. President Lang was born in Valdosta, Georgia, in 1857. He attended Emory College, and was graduated with first honor in June, 1882, receiving the degree of bachelor of arts. He married on May 16, 1889, and joined the conference a few months later. Before taking up work as a pastor, he served as principal of the Savannah District High School. After a most creditable career as minister and edu- cator, he was superannuated in 1922. He is living in Milledgeville, Georgia. The faculty which served under President Lang included H. C. Morrison, vice-president and pro- fessor of natural sciences; E. F. Herman, Latin, Greek and German; L. D. Kirby, French, English and history; Rev. B. F. Lovelace, mathematics; Miss Margaret Kilbourne, vocal and instrumental music; Miss Fannie Collins, art; and Miss Nellie Miller, primary department and physical culture. Trustees were Rev. A. E. Householder, chairman, Rev. W. F. Norton, vice-chairman; Rev. Edward F. Lev, secretary; George C. Warner, treasurer; Rev. R. ' H. Barnett, Rev. R. L. Honiker, Dr. C. A. Ful- wood, Rev. T. J. Nixon, Dr. J. F. Shands, Rev. J. C. Sale, George M. Lee, Charles W. White, E. H. Swain, J. H. Dorsey, R. F. Webb, G. W. Saxon, W. P. Ward and S. M. Sparkman. Courses offered in the Bible department included soteriology, dispensational truths, the Holy Spirit, doctrine of angels, Christology, harmony of the gospels, canon of Scripture, Bible history, herme- neutics, doctrine of harmartology, inspiration of the Scriptures, eschatology, Messianic prophecies, Christian evidences, Paul ' s life and writings and Bible outlines. New members of the board of trustees during 1899-1900 were Rev. C. A. Saunders, Rev. L. W. Moore, Frank Adams and J. M. Barco. Besides President Lang, the faculty for 1899-1900 included Rev. J. B. Game, Latin and Greek; Mrs. Beulah M. Warner, English and history; Harry Broadwell, mathematics; Rev. Lewis W. Duval, natural science; and Miss Elizabeth Hansbrough, music. In his report to the trustees in May, 1899, Presi- dent Lang said: We are happy to state that the attendance upon this closing term of the college is larger than that of any previous term during the present administration. It has been our sad duty to advise the propriety of the recall of a student home. This was done only after efforts for his betterment extended through several months, and in such a way as to retain the good-will of his family, while maintaining the integrity of the institution and wholesome discipline. We are also happy to report a revival of grace which re- sulted in the reformation of many, the conversion of others and the advancement of others. As to the financial status of the college, we would only report at this time that during the collegiate year the teachers have received a little over $800 from tuition. This was supplemented by collections in the field. Page Tzvcnlv-lhrcc • ■